Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 20:31

"And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold their peace: but they cried out the more, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David." — Matthew 20:31 (ASV)

The crowd desired to hear Jesus, but could not do so because of the shouts of the blind men; therefore, the multitude rebuked them.

Did they upbraid them for ill manners, or for noise, or for harshness of tone, or for selfishly wishing to monopolize Jesus? It is always easy to find a stick when you wish to beat a dog. The people wanted them to be quiet, and hold their peace, and found plenty of arguments why they should do so. This was all very well for those who were in possession of their faculties; but men who have lost their sight cannot be quieted if there is an opportunity of obtaining sight; and as that opportunity was rapidly passing away from these poor men, they became vehement in their earnestness.

Unhindered by the threats of the crowd, they cried the more. Some men are urged onward by all attempts to pull them back. When we are seeking the Lord, we shall be wise to make every hindrance into a stimulus. We may well bear rebukes and rebuffs when our great aim is to obtain mercy from Jesus. Unvarying was the blind beggars' cry: Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David! Variety of words they had no time to study. Having asked for what they needed, in words which leaped from their hearts, they repeated their prayer and their plea, and it was no vain repetition.

The crowd desired to hear Jesus, but could not do so because of the shouts of the blind men; therefore, the multitude rebuked them. Did they reprimand them for ill manners, or for noise, or for harshness of tone, or for selfishly wishing to monopolize Jesus? It is always easy to find a stick when you wish to beat a dog. The people wanted them to be quiet and remain silent, and found plenty of arguments why they should do so.

This was all very well for those who were in possession of their faculties, but men who have lost their sight cannot be quieted if there is an opportunity of obtaining sight. And as that opportunity was rapidly passing away from these poor men, they became vehement in their earnestness. Unhindered by the threats of the crowd, they cried out all the more. Some men are urged onward by all attempts to pull them back. When we are seeking the Lord, we would be wise to make every hindrance into a stimulus. We can certainly bear rebukes and rebuffs when our great aim is to obtain mercy from Jesus.

Unvarying was the blind beggars’ cry, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, you son of David.” Variety of words they had no time to study. Having asked for what they needed, in words which leaped from their hearts, they repeated their prayer and their plea, and it was no vain repetition.